Funkin, Focusing on London, Valiukaite will leverage her industry knowledge and relationships to continue to build the Funkin brand and its portfolio of premium products with bars across the city.
Valiukaite scooped the acclaimed title of Funkin Innovation Champion in 2017 when she was representing Original Sin in Stoke Newington and landed herself a part-time contract with Funkin. In her year as Innovation Champion, Valiukaite helped on product development, training and promoting the Funkin brand across the UK.
She moved from Original Sin to the cocktail bar at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast and also undertook an internship at Empirical Spirits in Copenhagen.
“Being the Funkin Innovation Champion offered me so many opportunities to grow and develop my knowledge and insight,” says Valiukaite.
“I am delighted to be able to continue my career with Funkin, a dynamic and innovative business, and look forward to taking on my new role and building new relationships with the London on-trade.”
Valiukaite will take up her new position as Brand Ambassador from Monday 22nd October.
“We are delighted that Aiste is able to join the Funkin team on a permanent basis,” says Ben Anderson, Funkin Head of Marketing. “She truly understands the Funkin brand and most importantly the bartending community and trends and it is fantastic to see that one of our past Innovation Champions has been able to progress within our business in such a critical role.”
Previous Funkin Innovation Champions have gone on to open consultancy firms, become brand ambassadors for leading spirits brands and also open their own bars.
